An Oregon nonprofit is hosting a series of free Consumer Rights Exchanges across the state focused on helping attendees learn their rights as consumers and share solutions to common problems.

Organized by Oregon Consumer Justice, the first exchange was in Lane County. Lisa Watson, the group's interim executive director, said the events are designed to complement the survey data the organization collects to make sure they're working on the most pressing issues.

"Many people in the room didn't know one another, but when they got a chance to talk, one of the themes we saw was that health care and access to health care is a real issue in Lane County," she said. "There's been a shortage of medical providers. There's been clinics and hospitals closing down."

The next Consumer Rights Exchange will be Monday in Jackson County, and Watson said all county residents are welcome to attend.

Lane County Law Librarian Brittany Young attended the event and said she went because consumer debt questions are some of the most common she hears from people representing themselves in court. She added that, ideally, people would never find themselves in that position.

"But there are some things that inevitably, no matter what you do, you're going to be in court for that," she said, "so the legal resources are super important."

Watson added that other top issues for Oregon consumers include knowing their rights when buying a car and navigating insurance. She added that OCJ is hosting exchanges across the state to better understand which needs are the same and different in each community. She said consumer rights impact everyone, every day.

"And the more consumers know about what those rights are, the better they can protect themselves," she said, "and also, the better they can help their neighbors protect themselves."

Source: Public News Service